The metropolis is all set to host for the first time the World Squash Federation's World Cup event, partially at the Indian Squash Academy and the final phase at a mega shopping mall from March 8 to 12.
Two editions of the World Cup were held in 1996 (Malaysia) and Netherlands (1999) but thereafter the event (mixed competition where each tie involves two men's singles and one women's singles) went into cold storage. The revival of this competition had come at a time when WSF was increasingly working towards giving a boost to the popularity of the sport in the public eye and in the world of sports in general in its bid to find the sport a place in the Olympics.
The WSF President, N. Ramachandran, at a media briefing on Thursday said that earlier PSA tournaments had been conducted outdoors with a degree of success but this was the first time that a WSF event has been tried outside with matches in glass-back courts. “Having the matches conducted in a mega mall like the Express Avenue would bring the sport closer to the public,” he said while thanking the Management of Express Avenue for agreeing to accept the venture.
“If this proves a success and I do not see why it should not, and with Tamil Nadu Government, SDAT and the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs, supporting we will have a world level competition every year here for the next five years,” Mr. Ramachandran said.
The JSW SDAT World Cup 2011 will bring together the virtual cream of overseas talent. The top names include Ramy Ashour (World No 2), Karim Darwish, Mohd El Shorbagy (World junior champion), Raneem El Weleily, Nour El Tayeb (all Egypt), James Willstrop, Peter Barker, (both England), Cameron Pilley, Rachael Grinham (both Australia), Nicol David (World no 1 woman from Malaysia). The Indian challenge will have national champions Saurav Ghosal and Joshna Chinappa part fro Siddarth Suchde, Harinder Pal Singh and Dipika Pallikal (currently the highest ranked Indian woman). The Tournament Director Maj S. Maniam listed the teams:
Pool A: Egypt, France, Malaysia, S. Africa, Sri Lanka;
Pool B: England, Australia, India and Mexico.
A noted absentee is Pakistan and for this Maj Maniam said “Pakistan does not have a strong women's team and that could be the reason.” The winner takes $ 50,000 and there is prize money right till the fifth place in the pool league, according to him.
The hosts TNSRA and SRFI have lined up a host of co-sponsors (Express Avenue, T I Cycles, Karbonn Mobiles, Olympia Infratech, DLF, Malaysia Airlines, Courtyard Marriott, Dunlop, Harrow, Sports Mechanics, Chennai Live, Tourism Malaysia, Sportz Power, Sports Locker, Bassam Apparel studio, ASB and Advent Sports Management. The Hindu is the media partner.
